AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine — United Way of Aroostook is collaborating with Aroostook County Action Program, Adopt-A-Block Aroostook and area businesses to help prepare local children to begin the new school year by providing eligible families with a backpack and school supplies.
Working together, along with the generous support of businesses and many individual donors, the group is collecting new backpacks and school supplies at various locations throughout The County. Drop-off boxes can be found at Walmart in Houlton and Presque Isle, and community members can drop off backpacks and supplies at the United Way’s office inside the Aroostook Centre Mall.
Other organizations will collect supplies as part of internal drives as well.
Live radio broadcasts will take place from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, at the Houlton Walmart, and at the same time on Friday, July 19, at the Presque Isle Walmart.
Community members can help “Stuff the Bus.” Donors are encouraged to purchase backpacks, notebooks, pencils/pens, crayons/markers, erasers, scissors and other school supplies to help the efforts.
“Without the support of the community, we would not be able to help the number of children we do,” said Sherry Locke, executive director of United Way of Aroostook. “We depend on the generosity of many to serve many.” Last year they provided over 700 backpacks to deserving children.
Adopt-A-Block Aroostook and ACAP will distribute filled backpacks at their end-of-summer celebration events.
For more information about this program or to see if your child qualifies for this program, contact ACAP at 764-3721 or United Way of Aroostook at 764-5197.
